LAST YEAR’S TOLL

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4446, 1 May 1930, Page 3

LAST YEAR’S TOLL

MOTOR FATALITIES. BIG INCREASE SHOWN. The number of deaths resulting from motor accidents in 1929 was 197, the highest figure recorded, and, unfortunately, 1930 has made a very had start, the Easier period being a disastrous week. Of the, 197 deaths last year 173 were duo to collisions, overturnings, etc., iu which motor vehicles were involved, and the remaining 1!) followed accidents in which motor vehicles collided with or were struck by trains, trams, etc.

In the following table showing the number of fatalities caused by railway, I ram wav, and motor accidents during Iho past nine years, from the “New Zealand Official Year Book,” the rule of assignment followed is that in fatalities due to collision with Irains or trams will] motor vehicles, the death ’s assigned to the train or tram as being the heavier and more powerful vehicle. Thus level-crossing fa tablies arc included in (he first column of figures and arc not taken into account in the 1 hivil column (motor vehicles). Tile “Year Book” does mil set out level-crossing ac-i-idenls separately, and il is therefore mil a simple mallei' to make a comparison as lo all fatalities in whic-li motor vehicles were involved.

There is some slight consolation in the fuel that the increase in fatalities involving motors and pedestrians only (column 3) last year is only two on the total for the previous year, but the toll for a. country of the population of New Zealand is appallingly high.

The figures for (he past nine rears are:—

The motor fatality rate (excluding level-crossing and tram and motor accidents) has increased 127 per cent, since 1921.

Rjiilw.'i ys Trjmis Motor vehicles 1021 :ii> 14 tit) 1022 45 0 lil

1 923 99 14 59 1924 40 19 94 192,1 43 8 108 1920 53 17 149 1927 42 8 138 1928 44 10 170 1929 49 5 178